12th Reconnaissance Squadron
Encyclopedia
The 12th Reconnaissance Squadron (12 RS) is a United States Air Force
reconnaissance
unit based at Beale Air Force Base
, near Marysville, California
. It is a component of the 9th Reconnaissance Wing
and operates the RQ-4 Global Hawk
unmanned aerial vehicle
. The squadron was deactivated shortly after the Cold War
but was reactivated a decade later after the September 11th attacks.
, surveillance, reconnaissance (ISR) and target acquisition data, operate and maintain deployable, long-endurance RQ-4A aircraft and ground control elements to fulfill training and operational requirements generated by the Joint Chiefs of Staff
in support of unified command and the Secretary of Defense.
squadrons, having been involved in every armed conflict the United States has deployed forces into combat since World War I.
The 12th Aero Squadron was established in June 1917, shortly after the United States' entry into World War I. Formed at what would become Kelly Field, Texas
, the squadron trained at Wilbur Wright Field, Ohio
during the summer of 1917 before deploying to France in December 1917.
After a period of training in France, the 12th became an early photo-reconnaissance unit, flying over the trenches of the Western Front
. Was attached to the French IV Army Corps and American I Army Corps; squadron moved frequently from one area of the front to another, usually staying at one location nor more than a week or two, taking air photos and gathering intelligence. After the Armistice with Germany in November 1918, the squadron remained in France and later Germany as part of the IV Army Corps with the Rhineland Occupation forces. Returned to the United States in June 1919.
Remained active after World War I, being assigned to Scott Field
, Illinois
as part of the 1st Army Observation Group. The squadron performed observation duties with various Army units throughout the 1920s, being assigned to Texas
in October 1919 and patrolled the Mexico – United States border from various airfields during the 1920s. Participated in forest fire patrols and flood relief operations in the Mississippi valey during 1937. It supported Army maneuvers at Fort Sam Houston
; Fort Bliss
; Fort Huachuca
, and Fort Campbell
.
After the Pearl Harbor Attack, trained under Third Air Force
in Louisiana
for deployment to the European Theater of Operations
, being assigned to Eighth Air Force
at RAF Membury
, England in the fall of 1942. Using unarmed fighter aircraft (P-38s, later P-51s) fitted with aerial mapping cameras, the squadron performed numerous long distance mapping flights over Occupied Europe and Nazi Germany
, photographing targets for later attack by VIII Bomber Command
and the Royal Air Force
. These flights were extremely hazardous, being flown without escort and in unarmed aircraft. Transferred to Ninth Air Force
in the spring of 1944, the squadron flew numerous missions over the Normandy
Invasion Beaches, and other parts of the English Channel
coast of France, Belgium and the Netherlands, obtaining intelligence about enemy fortifications, armored units, infantry concentrations and other tactical intelligence.
Moved into France in July 1944, supporting the United States Third Army with tactical intelligence as the ground forces moved eastward through France during the summer of 1944, moving into Belgium and into Germany as part of the Western Allied invasion of Germany during the spring of 1945. After the German Capitulation, became part of the United States Air Forces in Europe
Army of Occupation during 1945. Squadron flying reconnaissance over northern Italy during the 1946 Trieste Crisis. Returned to the United States in early 1946 and being demobilized.
Reactivated at March Field, California
in July 1946 as part of the Continental Air Command
Fourth Air Force
, equipped with RF-80A Shooting Stars; Major (Future Brigadier General) Robin Olds
served as the first Operations Officer. Inactivated in 1949 due to budget reductions. Reactivated in Japan in 1951 as part of Far East Air Forces, flying tactical battlefield reconnaissance over the skies of Korea
, being stationed at several airfield in South Korea
as well as in Japan. Remained in Japan after the 1953 Korean Armistice, flying routine reconnaissance missions until being inactivated in 1960.
Reactivated during the Vietnam War
in 1966, being deployed to Tan Son Nhut Air Base
, South Vietnam
. Flew RF-4C Phantom IIs over the skies of Indochina
until 1971, gathering tactical intelligence to support the United States and South Vietnamese ground forces. Returned to the United States as part of the United States drawdown of forces, becoming an RF-4C training unit at Bergstrom AFB. Deployed several times to West Germany
during the 1970s and 1980s supporting Army units during Reforger Exercises and other NATO/Tactical Air Command
deployments during the Cold War
. Deployed to the Middle East in early 1991 as part of Operation Desert Storm flying tactical reconnaissance missions over Iraq
and Kuwait
. Inactivated in 1992 with the phaseout of the RF-4C.
Reactivated at Beale AFB, California
in 2001 operating unmanned RQ-4 Global Hawk
unmanned aerial reconnaissance aircraft as part of the Global War on Terror.
United States Air Force
The United States Air Force is the aerial warfare service branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the American uniformed services. Initially part of the United States Army, the USAF was formed as a separate branch of the military on September 18, 1947 under the National Security Act of...
reconnaissance
Reconnaissance
Reconnaissance is the military term for exploring beyond the area occupied by friendly forces to gain information about enemy forces or features of the environment....
unit based at Beale Air Force Base
Beale Air Force Base
Beale Air Force Base is a United States Air Force base located approximately east of Marysville, California. Originally known as Camp Beale....
, near Marysville, California
Marysville, California
Marysville is the county seat of Yuba County, California, United States. The population was 12,072 at the 2010 census, down from 12,268 at the 2000 census. It is included in the Yuba City Metropolitan Statistical Area, often referred to as the Yuba-Sutter Area after the two counties, Yuba and...
. It is a component of the 9th Reconnaissance Wing
9th Reconnaissance Wing
The 9th Reconnaissance Wing is a United States Air Force unit assigned to the Air Combat Command Eighth Air Force. It is stationed at Beale Air Force Base, California...
and operates the RQ-4 Global Hawk
RQ-4 Global Hawk
The Northrop Grumman RQ-4 Global Hawk is an unmanned aerial vehicle used by the United States Air Force and Navy as a surveillance aircraft....
unmanned aerial vehicle
Unmanned aerial vehicle
An unmanned aerial vehicle , also known as a unmanned aircraft system , remotely piloted aircraft or unmanned aircraft, is a machine which functions either by the remote control of a navigator or pilot or autonomously, that is, as a self-directing entity...
. The squadron was deactivated shortly after the Cold War
Cold War
The Cold War was the continuing state from roughly 1946 to 1991 of political conflict, military tension, proxy wars, and economic competition between the Communist World—primarily the Soviet Union and its satellite states and allies—and the powers of the Western world, primarily the United States...
but was reactivated a decade later after the September 11th attacks.
Mission
The 12th Reconnaissance Squadron's mission is to provide theatre commanders with near-real-time intelligenceMilitary intelligence
Military intelligence is a military discipline that exploits a number of information collection and analysis approaches to provide guidance and direction to commanders in support of their decisions....
, surveillance, reconnaissance (ISR) and target acquisition data, operate and maintain deployable, long-endurance RQ-4A aircraft and ground control elements to fulfill training and operational requirements generated by the Joint Chiefs of Staff
Joint Chiefs of Staff
The Joint Chiefs of Staff is a body of senior uniformed leaders in the United States Department of Defense who advise the Secretary of Defense, the Homeland Security Council, the National Security Council and the President on military matters...
in support of unified command and the Secretary of Defense.
History
The 12th Reconnaissance Squadron is one of the oldest United States Air ForceUnited States Air Force
The United States Air Force is the aerial warfare service branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the American uniformed services. Initially part of the United States Army, the USAF was formed as a separate branch of the military on September 18, 1947 under the National Security Act of...
squadrons, having been involved in every armed conflict the United States has deployed forces into combat since World War I.
The 12th Aero Squadron was established in June 1917, shortly after the United States' entry into World War I. Formed at what would become Kelly Field, Texas
Texas
Texas is the second largest U.S. state by both area and population, and the largest state by area in the contiguous United States.The name, based on the Caddo word "Tejas" meaning "friends" or "allies", was applied by the Spanish to the Caddo themselves and to the region of their settlement in...
, the squadron trained at Wilbur Wright Field, Ohio
Ohio
Ohio is a Midwestern state in the United States. The 34th largest state by area in the U.S.,it is the 7th‑most populous with over 11.5 million residents, containing several major American cities and seven metropolitan areas with populations of 500,000 or more.The state's capital is Columbus...
during the summer of 1917 before deploying to France in December 1917.
After a period of training in France, the 12th became an early photo-reconnaissance unit, flying over the trenches of the Western Front
Western Front (World War I)
Following the outbreak of World War I in 1914, the German Army opened the Western Front by first invading Luxembourg and Belgium, then gaining military control of important industrial regions in France. The tide of the advance was dramatically turned with the Battle of the Marne...
. Was attached to the French IV Army Corps and American I Army Corps; squadron moved frequently from one area of the front to another, usually staying at one location nor more than a week or two, taking air photos and gathering intelligence. After the Armistice with Germany in November 1918, the squadron remained in France and later Germany as part of the IV Army Corps with the Rhineland Occupation forces. Returned to the United States in June 1919.
Remained active after World War I, being assigned to Scott Field
Scott Air Force Base
Scott Air Force Base is a base of the United States Air Force in St. Clair County, Illinois, near Belleville.-Overview:The base is named after Corporal Frank S. Scott, the first enlisted person to be killed in an aviation crash...
, Illinois
Illinois
Illinois is the fifth-most populous state of the United States of America, and is often noted for being a microcosm of the entire country. With Chicago in the northeast, small industrial cities and great agricultural productivity in central and northern Illinois, and natural resources like coal,...
as part of the 1st Army Observation Group. The squadron performed observation duties with various Army units throughout the 1920s, being assigned to Texas
Texas
Texas is the second largest U.S. state by both area and population, and the largest state by area in the contiguous United States.The name, based on the Caddo word "Tejas" meaning "friends" or "allies", was applied by the Spanish to the Caddo themselves and to the region of their settlement in...
in October 1919 and patrolled the Mexico – United States border from various airfields during the 1920s. Participated in forest fire patrols and flood relief operations in the Mississippi valey during 1937. It supported Army maneuvers at Fort Sam Houston
Fort Sam Houston
Fort Sam Houston is a U.S. Army post in San Antonio, Texas.Known colloquially as "Fort Sam," it is named for the first President of the Republic of Texas, Sam Houston....
; Fort Bliss
Fort Bliss
Fort Bliss is a United States Army post in the U.S. states of New Mexico and Texas. With an area of about , it is the Army's second-largest installation behind the adjacent White Sands Missile Range. It is FORSCOM's largest installation, and has the Army's largest Maneuver Area behind the...
; Fort Huachuca
Fort Huachuca
Fort Huachuca is a United States Army installation under the command of the United States Army Installation Management Command. It is located in Cochise County, in southeast Arizona, about north of the border with Mexico. Beginning in 1913, for 20 years the fort was the base for the "Buffalo...
, and Fort Campbell
Fort Campbell
Fort Campbell is a United States Army installation located astraddle the Kentucky-Tennessee border between Hopkinsville, Kentucky, and Clarksville, Tennessee...
.
After the Pearl Harbor Attack, trained under Third Air Force
Third Air Force
The Third Air Force is a numbered air force of the United States Air Forces in Europe . It is headquartered at Ramstein Air Base, Germany....
in Louisiana
Louisiana
Louisiana is a state located in the southern region of the United States of America. Its capital is Baton Rouge and largest city is New Orleans. Louisiana is the only state in the U.S. with political subdivisions termed parishes, which are local governments equivalent to counties...
for deployment to the European Theater of Operations
European Theater of Operations
The European Theater of Operations, United States Army was a United States Army formation which directed U.S. Army operations in parts of Europe from 1942 to 1945. It referred to Army Ground Forces, United States Army Air Forces, and Army Service Forces operations north of Italy and the...
, being assigned to Eighth Air Force
Eighth Air Force
The Eighth Air Force is a numbered air force of the United States Air Force Global Strike Command . It is headquartered at Barksdale Air Force Base, Louisiana....
at RAF Membury
RAF Membury
RAF Station Membury is a former World War II airfield built in the civil parish of Lambourn in Berkshire, England. The airfield is located approximately mi north-northwest of Hungerford, at the Membury services stop of the M4 motorway; about miles west-southwest of London...
, England in the fall of 1942. Using unarmed fighter aircraft (P-38s, later P-51s) fitted with aerial mapping cameras, the squadron performed numerous long distance mapping flights over Occupied Europe and Nazi Germany
Nazi Germany
Nazi Germany , also known as the Third Reich , but officially called German Reich from 1933 to 1943 and Greater German Reich from 26 June 1943 onward, is the name commonly used to refer to the state of Germany from 1933 to 1945, when it was a totalitarian dictatorship ruled by...
, photographing targets for later attack by VIII Bomber Command
VIII Bomber Command
The VIII Bomber Command is an inactive United States Army Air Forces unit that is better known as the later appellation Eighth Air Force, as was popularized in post-World War II filmsand is frequently called the First Eighth Air Force by its veterans and successors in the services.The command was...
and the Royal Air Force
Royal Air Force
The Royal Air Force is the aerial warfare service branch of the British Armed Forces. Formed on 1 April 1918, it is the oldest independent air force in the world...
. These flights were extremely hazardous, being flown without escort and in unarmed aircraft. Transferred to Ninth Air Force
Ninth Air Force
The Ninth Air Force is a numbered air force of the United States Air Force's Air Combat Command . It is headquartered at Shaw Air Force Base, South Carolina....
in the spring of 1944, the squadron flew numerous missions over the Normandy
Normandy
Normandy is a geographical region corresponding to the former Duchy of Normandy. It is in France.The continental territory covers 30,627 km² and forms the preponderant part of Normandy and roughly 5% of the territory of France. It is divided for administrative purposes into two régions:...
Invasion Beaches, and other parts of the English Channel
English Channel
The English Channel , often referred to simply as the Channel, is an arm of the Atlantic Ocean that separates southern England from northern France, and joins the North Sea to the Atlantic. It is about long and varies in width from at its widest to in the Strait of Dover...
coast of France, Belgium and the Netherlands, obtaining intelligence about enemy fortifications, armored units, infantry concentrations and other tactical intelligence.
Moved into France in July 1944, supporting the United States Third Army with tactical intelligence as the ground forces moved eastward through France during the summer of 1944, moving into Belgium and into Germany as part of the Western Allied invasion of Germany during the spring of 1945. After the German Capitulation, became part of the United States Air Forces in Europe
United States Air Forces in Europe
The United States Air Forces in Europe is the United States Air Force component of U.S. European Command, a Department of Defense unified command, and is one of two Air Force Major Commands outside of the continental United States, the other being the Pacific Air Forces...
Army of Occupation during 1945. Squadron flying reconnaissance over northern Italy during the 1946 Trieste Crisis. Returned to the United States in early 1946 and being demobilized.
Reactivated at March Field, California
California
California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...
in July 1946 as part of the Continental Air Command
Continental Air Command
Continental Air Command was a Major Command of the United States Air Force responsible primarily for administering the Air National Guard and Air Force Reserve.-Lineage:...
Fourth Air Force
Fourth Air Force
The Fourth Air Force is a numbered air force of the United States Air Force Reserve . It is headquartered at March Air Reserve Base, California....
, equipped with RF-80A Shooting Stars; Major (Future Brigadier General) Robin Olds
Robin Olds
Robin Olds was an American fighter pilot and general officer in the U.S. Air Force. He was a "triple ace", with a combined total of 16 victories in World War II and the Vietnam War. He retired in 1973 as a brigadier general....
served as the first Operations Officer. Inactivated in 1949 due to budget reductions. Reactivated in Japan in 1951 as part of Far East Air Forces, flying tactical battlefield reconnaissance over the skies of Korea
Korea
Korea ) is an East Asian geographic region that is currently divided into two separate sovereign states — North Korea and South Korea. Located on the Korean Peninsula, Korea is bordered by the People's Republic of China to the northwest, Russia to the northeast, and is separated from Japan to the...
, being stationed at several airfield in South Korea
South Korea
The Republic of Korea , , is a sovereign state in East Asia, located on the southern portion of the Korean Peninsula. It is neighbored by the People's Republic of China to the west, Japan to the east, North Korea to the north, and the East China Sea and Republic of China to the south...
as well as in Japan. Remained in Japan after the 1953 Korean Armistice, flying routine reconnaissance missions until being inactivated in 1960.
Reactivated during the Vietnam War
Vietnam War
The Vietnam War was a Cold War-era military conflict that occurred in Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia from 1 November 1955 to the fall of Saigon on 30 April 1975. This war followed the First Indochina War and was fought between North Vietnam, supported by its communist allies, and the government of...
in 1966, being deployed to Tan Son Nhut Air Base
Tan Son Nhut Air Base
Tan Son Nhut Air Base was a Republic of Vietnam Air Force facility. It is located near the city of Saigon in southern Vietnam. The United States used it as a major base during the Vietnam War , stationing Army, Air Force, Navy, and Marine units there...
, South Vietnam
South Vietnam
South Vietnam was a state which governed southern Vietnam until 1975. It received international recognition in 1950 as the "State of Vietnam" and later as the "Republic of Vietnam" . Its capital was Saigon...
. Flew RF-4C Phantom IIs over the skies of Indochina
Indochina
The Indochinese peninsula, is a region in Southeast Asia. It lies roughly southwest of China, and east of India. The name has its origins in the French, Indochine, as a combination of the names of "China" and "India", and was adopted when French colonizers in Vietnam began expanding their territory...
until 1971, gathering tactical intelligence to support the United States and South Vietnamese ground forces. Returned to the United States as part of the United States drawdown of forces, becoming an RF-4C training unit at Bergstrom AFB. Deployed several times to West Germany
West Germany
West Germany is the common English, but not official, name for the Federal Republic of Germany or FRG in the period between its creation in May 1949 to German reunification on 3 October 1990....
during the 1970s and 1980s supporting Army units during Reforger Exercises and other NATO/Tactical Air Command
Tactical Air Command
Tactical Air Command is an inactive United States Air Force organization. It was a Major Command of the United States Air Force, established on 21 March 1946 being headquartered at Langley Air Force Base, Virginia...
deployments during the Cold War
Cold War
The Cold War was the continuing state from roughly 1946 to 1991 of political conflict, military tension, proxy wars, and economic competition between the Communist World—primarily the Soviet Union and its satellite states and allies—and the powers of the Western world, primarily the United States...
. Deployed to the Middle East in early 1991 as part of Operation Desert Storm flying tactical reconnaissance missions over Iraq
Iraq
Iraq ; officially the Republic of Iraq is a country in Western Asia spanning most of the northwestern end of the Zagros mountain range, the eastern part of the Syrian Desert and the northern part of the Arabian Desert....
and Kuwait
Kuwait
The State of Kuwait is a sovereign Arab state situated in the north-east of the Arabian Peninsula in Western Asia. It is bordered by Saudi Arabia to the south at Khafji, and Iraq to the north at Basra. It lies on the north-western shore of the Persian Gulf. The name Kuwait is derived from the...
. Inactivated in 1992 with the phaseout of the RF-4C.
Reactivated at Beale AFB, California
California
California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...
in 2001 operating unmanned RQ-4 Global Hawk
RQ-4 Global Hawk
The Northrop Grumman RQ-4 Global Hawk is an unmanned aerial vehicle used by the United States Air Force and Navy as a surveillance aircraft....
unmanned aerial reconnaissance aircraft as part of the Global War on Terror.
Lineage
- Organized as 12th Aero Squadron on 2 Jun 1917
- Redesignated: 12th Squadron (Observation) on 14 Mar 1921
- Redesignated: 12th Observation Squadron on 25 Jan 1923
- Redesignated: 12th Observation Squadron (Medium) on 13 Jan 1942
- Redesignated: 12th Observation Squadron on 4 Jul 1942
- Redesignated: 12th Reconnaissance Squadron (Fighter) on 31 May 1943
- Redesignated: 12th Tactical Reconnaissance Squadron on 13 Nov 1943
- Inactivated on 31 Mar 1946
- Redesignated 12th Reconnaissance Squadron, Photographic (Jet Propelled) on 9 Jul 1946
- Activated on 29 Jul 1946
- Redesignated 12th Tactical Reconnaissance Squadron, Photographic-Jet on 14 Jun 1948
- Inactivated on 28 Mar 1949
- Redesignated 12th Tactical Reconnaissance Squadron, Night Photographic on 5 Feb 1951
- Activated on 25 Feb 1951
- Redesignated 12th Tactical Reconnaissance Squadron, Night Photographic-Jet on 23 Feb 1959
- Discontinued on 8 Mar 1960
- Redesignated 12th Tactical Reconnaissance Squadron, Photographic-Jet, and activated on 3 Nov 1965
- Organized on 1 Jul 1966
- Redesignated: 12th Tactical Reconnaissance Squadron on 1 Oct 1966
- Redesignated: 12th Reconnaissance Squadron on 1 Nov 1991
- Inactivated on 30 Sep 1992
- Activated on 8 Nov 2001.
Assignments
- Unknown, 2 Jun 1917-May 1918
- I Corps Observation Group, May-Nov 1918
- Unknown, Nov 1918-1 Oct 1919
- 1st Army Observation Group, 1 Oct 1919
- Attached to 1st Surveillance Group from 13 Oct 1919
- 1st Surveillance Group, 24 Mar 1920
- Eighth Corps Area, 27 Jun 1921
- Divisional aviation for 1 Cavalry Division, Sep 1921-Jun 1926, and for 2 Division, Jun 1924-c. Oct 1931
- Detachment at Field Artillery School, 1 Jul 1927-1 Jun 1928
- 12th Observation Group12th Observation GroupThe 12th Observation Group is an inactive United States Army unit. It was last assigned to the Eighth Corps Area, United States Army, stationed at Brooks Field, Texas. It was disbanded on 30 June 1937....
, 1 Oct 1930 - Eighth Corps Area, 1 Jun 1937
- Fifth Corps Area
- 12th Observation Group
- Attached to: 7 Cavalry Brigade (later, 1 Armored Division), 20 Jun 1937
- Attached to: Armored Force, 2 Oct 1940
- 73d Observation Group, 1 Sep 1941
- V Air Support Command, 21 Jan 1942
- 67th Observation (later, 67 Reconnaissance; 67 Tactical Reconnaissance) Group, 29 Mar 1942
- 10 Photographic (later, 10 Reconnaissance) Group, 13 Jun 1944
- Attached to 67th Tactical Reconnaissance Group to c. 11 Aug 1944
- Continental Air Forces (later, Strategic Air CommandStrategic Air CommandThe Strategic Air Command was both a Major Command of the United States Air Force and a "specified command" of the United States Department of Defense. SAC was the operational establishment in charge of America's land-based strategic bomber aircraft and land-based intercontinental ballistic...
), 15 Feb-31 Mar 1946 - 363d Reconnaissance Group (attached to Twelfth Air Force), 29 Jul 1946
- 67th Reconnaissance (later, 67 Tactical Reconnaissance) Group, 24 Jul 1947-28 Mar 1949
- 67th Tactical Reconnaissance Group, 25 Feb 1951
- Continental Air Forces (later, Strategic Air Command
- Attached to 67th Tactical Reconnaissance Wing, 1 Jun-24 Nov 1954 and 1 Jul-30 Sep 1957
- 67th Tactical Reconnaissance Wing, 1 Oct 1957-8 Mar 1960
- Tactical Air CommandTactical Air CommandTactical Air Command is an inactive United States Air Force organization. It was a Major Command of the United States Air Force, established on 21 March 1946 being headquartered at Langley Air Force Base, Virginia...
, 3 Nov 1965 - 67th Tactical Reconnaissance Wing, 1 Jul 1966
- 460th Tactical Reconnaissance Wing, 9 Sep 1966
- 67th Tactical Reconnaissance Wing, 31 Aug 1971-30 Sep 1992
- Under operational control of 26th Tactical Reconnaissance Wing26th Tactical Reconnaissance WingThe 26th Tactical Reconnaissance Wing is an inactive United States Air Force unit. Its last assignment was with United States Air Forces in Europe, being stationed at Zweibrücken Air Base, Germany, where it was inactivated on 31 July 1991.-History:...
, 5 May-4 Jun 1974, 7 Jul-7 Aug 1981, 15 May-11 Jun 1984, and 27 Aug-24 Sep 1987 - Flight attached to Tactical Fighter Wing, Provisional 35, 14 Jan-10 May 1991
- 9th Operations Group9th Operations GroupThe 9th Operations Group is the operational flying component of the 9th Reconnaissance Wing, stationed at Beale Air Force Base, California....
, 8 Nov 2001–Present
- 9th Operations Group
Stations
- San Antonio (probably Kelly Field), TexasTexasTexas is the second largest U.S. state by both area and population, and the largest state by area in the contiguous United States.The name, based on the Caddo word "Tejas" meaning "friends" or "allies", was applied by the Spanish to the Caddo themselves and to the region of their settlement in...
, 2 Jun 1917 - Wilbur Wright Field, OhioOhioOhio is a Midwestern state in the United States. The 34th largest state by area in the U.S.,it is the 7th‑most populous with over 11.5 million residents, containing several major American cities and seven metropolitan areas with populations of 500,000 or more.The state's capital is Columbus...
, 8 Jul 1917 - Garden City, New YorkGarden City, New YorkGarden City is a village in the town of Hempstead in central Nassau County, New York, in the United States. It was founded by multi-millionaire Alexander Turney Stewart in 1869, and is located on Long Island, to the east of New York City, from mid-town Manhattan, and just south of the town of...
, 2 Nov-3 Dec 1917 - Saint-MaixentSaint-MaixentSaint-Maixent is a commune in the Sarthe department in the region of Pays-de-la-Loire in north-western France.-References:*...
, France, 1 Jan 1918 - ChaumontChaumont, Haute-MarneChaumont is a commune of France, and the capital of the Haute-Marne department. , it has a of 24,039.The city stands on the Marne River and is situated on the railway linking Paris and Basel, which runs over a 52 m tall and 600 m long viaduct built in 1856.- History :Historically the...
, France, 16 Jan 1918 - AmantyAmantyAmanty is a commune in the Meuse department in the Lorraine region in north-eastern France....
, France, 2 Feb 1918 - Ourches-sur-MeuseOurches-sur-MeuseOurches-sur-Meuse is a commune in the Meuse department in Lorraine in north-eastern France.-See also:*Communes of the Meuse department...
, France, 3 May 1918 - FlinFlinFlin is a commune in the Meurthe-et-Moselle department in north-eastern France....
, France, 13 Jun 1918 - Saints, France, 29 Jun 1918
- FranchevilleFrancheville, MarneFrancheville is a commune in the Marne department in north-eastern France....
, France, c. 6 Jul 1918 - Moras Farm (near La Ferté-sous-JouarreLa Ferté-sous-JouarreLa Ferté-sous-Jouarre is a commune in the Seine-et-Marne département in the Île-de-France region in north-central France.It is located at a crossing point over the River Marne between Meaux and Château-Thierry.-History:...
), France, 22 Jul 1918 - May-en-MultienMay-en-MultienMay-en-Multien is a commune in the Seine-et-Marne department in the Île-de-France region in north-central France.-External links:* * *...
, France, 3 Aug 1918 - CoincyCoincy, AisneCoincy is a commune in the Aisne department in Picardy in northern France.-Population:...
, France, 10 Aug 1918 - Chailly-en-BrieChailly-en-BrieChailly-en-Brie is a commune in the Seine-et-Marne department in the Île-de-France region in north-central France.-External links:* * *...
, France, 12 Aug 1918 - Toul AirdromeToul-Croix De Metz AirfieldToul-Croix De Metz Airfield is a former military airfield which is located approximately 1 mile northeast of Toul ; 160 miles east of Paris....
, France, 22 Aug 1918 - RemicourtRemicourt, MarneRemicourt is a commune in the Marne department in north-eastern France....
, France, 20 Sep 1918 - Julvecourt Airdrome, France, 3 Nov 1918
- Mercy-le-HautMercy-le-HautMercy-le-Haut is a commune in the Meurthe-et-Moselle department in north-eastern France.-See also:*Communes of the Meurthe-et-Moselle department...
, France, 21 Nov 1918 - Trier Airdrome, Germany, 6 Dec 1918
- KoblenzKoblenzKoblenz is a German city situated on both banks of the Rhine at its confluence with the Moselle, where the Deutsches Eck and its monument are situated.As Koblenz was one of the military posts established by Drusus about 8 BC, the...
, Germany, 30 Dec 1918 - Colombey-les-BellesColombey-les-BellesColombey-les-Belles is a commune in the Meurthe-et-Moselle department in north-eastern France.-Heraldry:-See also:*Communes of the Meurthe-et-Moselle department...
, France, 16 Apr 1919 - Le Mans Airdrome, France, 5 May 1919
- Brest, FranceBrest, FranceBrest is a city in the Finistère department in Brittany in northwestern France. Located in a sheltered position not far from the western tip of the Breton peninsula, and the western extremity of metropolitan France, Brest is an important harbour and the second French military port after Toulon...
, 20 May-2 Jun 1919 - Mitchel Field, New YorkNew YorkNew York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
, 17 Jun 1919 - Scott FieldScott Air Force BaseScott Air Force Base is a base of the United States Air Force in St. Clair County, Illinois, near Belleville.-Overview:The base is named after Corporal Frank S. Scott, the first enlisted person to be killed in an aviation crash...
, IllinoisIllinoisIllinois is the fifth-most populous state of the United States of America, and is often noted for being a microcosm of the entire country. With Chicago in the northeast, small industrial cities and great agricultural productivity in central and northern Illinois, and natural resources like coal,...
, 6 Jul 1919 - Kelly Field, TexasTexasTexas is the second largest U.S. state by both area and population, and the largest state by area in the contiguous United States.The name, based on the Caddo word "Tejas" meaning "friends" or "allies", was applied by the Spanish to the Caddo themselves and to the region of their settlement in...
, 13 Oct 1919 - Fort BlissFort BlissFort Bliss is a United States Army post in the U.S. states of New Mexico and Texas. With an area of about , it is the Army's second-largest installation behind the adjacent White Sands Missile Range. It is FORSCOM's largest installation, and has the Army's largest Maneuver Area behind the...
, TexasTexasTexas is the second largest U.S. state by both area and population, and the largest state by area in the contiguous United States.The name, based on the Caddo word "Tejas" meaning "friends" or "allies", was applied by the Spanish to the Caddo themselves and to the region of their settlement in...
, 9 Jan 1920
- Flight operated from Douglas FieldDouglas Municipal Airport (Arizona)Douglas Municipal Airport is a public airport located two miles east of the central business district of Douglas, a city in Cochise County, Arizona, United States. The airport is owned by the city of Douglas...
, ArizonaArizonaArizona ; is a state located in the southwestern region of the United States. It is also part of the western United States and the mountain west. The capital and largest city is Phoenix...
, from 10 Jan 1920- Nogales Field, ArizonaArizonaArizona ; is a state located in the southwestern region of the United States. It is also part of the western United States and the mountain west. The capital and largest city is Phoenix...
- Nogales Field, Arizona
- Flight operated from Douglas FieldDouglas Municipal Airport (Arizona)Douglas Municipal Airport is a public airport located two miles east of the central business district of Douglas, a city in Cochise County, Arizona, United States. The airport is owned by the city of Douglas...
, ArizonaArizonaArizona ; is a state located in the southwestern region of the United States. It is also part of the western United States and the mountain west. The capital and largest city is Phoenix...
. from 12 Apr 1920- Douglas FieldDouglas Municipal Airport (Arizona)Douglas Municipal Airport is a public airport located two miles east of the central business district of Douglas, a city in Cochise County, Arizona, United States. The airport is owned by the city of Douglas...
, ArizonaArizonaArizona ; is a state located in the southwestern region of the United States. It is also part of the western United States and the mountain west. The capital and largest city is Phoenix...
- Douglas Field
- Flight operated from Nogales Field, ArizonaArizonaArizona ; is a state located in the southwestern region of the United States. It is also part of the western United States and the mountain west. The capital and largest city is Phoenix...
from c. Feb 1921- Fort BlissFort BlissFort Bliss is a United States Army post in the U.S. states of New Mexico and Texas. With an area of about , it is the Army's second-largest installation behind the adjacent White Sands Missile Range. It is FORSCOM's largest installation, and has the Army's largest Maneuver Area behind the...
, TexasTexasTexas is the second largest U.S. state by both area and population, and the largest state by area in the contiguous United States.The name, based on the Caddo word "Tejas" meaning "friends" or "allies", was applied by the Spanish to the Caddo themselves and to the region of their settlement in...
, 28 Sep 1921
- Fort Bliss
- Detachment at Fort Sam HoustonFort Sam HoustonFort Sam Houston is a U.S. Army post in San Antonio, Texas.Known colloquially as "Fort Sam," it is named for the first President of the Republic of Texas, Sam Houston....
, TexasTexasTexas is the second largest U.S. state by both area and population, and the largest state by area in the contiguous United States.The name, based on the Caddo word "Tejas" meaning "friends" or "allies", was applied by the Spanish to the Caddo themselves and to the region of their settlement in...
, after 26 Jun 1924- Fort Sam HoustonFort Sam HoustonFort Sam Houston is a U.S. Army post in San Antonio, Texas.Known colloquially as "Fort Sam," it is named for the first President of the Republic of Texas, Sam Houston....
, TexasTexasTexas is the second largest U.S. state by both area and population, and the largest state by area in the contiguous United States.The name, based on the Caddo word "Tejas" meaning "friends" or "allies", was applied by the Spanish to the Caddo themselves and to the region of their settlement in...
, 22 Jun 1926
- Fort Sam Houston
- Detachment at Post Field, OklahomaOklahomaOklahoma is a state located in the South Central region of the United States of America. With an estimated 3,751,351 residents as of the 2010 census and a land area of 68,667 square miles , Oklahoma is the 28th most populous and 20th-largest state...
, 1 Jul 1927-1 Jun 1928 - Detachment operated from Fort HuachucaFort HuachucaFort Huachuca is a United States Army installation under the command of the United States Army Installation Management Command. It is located in Cochise County, in southeast Arizona, about north of the border with Mexico. Beginning in 1913, for 20 years the fort was the base for the "Buffalo...
, ArizonaArizonaArizona ; is a state located in the southwestern region of the United States. It is also part of the western United States and the mountain west. The capital and largest city is Phoenix...
, 6 Apr-10 May 1929
- Brooks FieldBrooks City-BaseBrooks City-Base was a United States Air Force facility located in San Antonio, Texas, southeast of Downtown San Antonio.In 2002 Brooks Air Force Base was renamed Brooks City-Base when the property was conveyed to the Brooks Development Authority as part of a unique project between local, state,...
, TexasTexasTexas is the second largest U.S. state by both area and population, and the largest state by area in the contiguous United States.The name, based on the Caddo word "Tejas" meaning "friends" or "allies", was applied by the Spanish to the Caddo themselves and to the region of their settlement in...
, 31 Oct 1931 - Godman Field (Fort CampbellFort CampbellFort Campbell is a United States Army installation located astraddle the Kentucky-Tennessee border between Hopkinsville, Kentucky, and Clarksville, Tennessee...
), KentuckyKentuckyThe Commonwealth of Kentucky is a state located in the East Central United States of America. As classified by the United States Census Bureau, Kentucky is a Southern state, more specifically in the East South Central region. Kentucky is one of four U.S. states constituted as a commonwealth...
, 20 Jun 1937
- Flight at Post Field (Fort SillFort SillFort Sill is a United States Army post near Lawton, Oklahoma, about 85 miles southwest of Oklahoma City.Today, Fort Sill remains the only active Army installation of all the forts on the South Plains built during the Indian Wars...
), OklahomaOklahomaOklahoma is a state located in the South Central region of the United States of America. With an estimated 3,751,351 residents as of the 2010 census and a land area of 68,667 square miles , Oklahoma is the 28th most populous and 20th-largest state...
, 1 Jun 1937-30 Nov 1940- Esler Field, LouisianaLouisianaLouisiana is a state located in the southern region of the United States of America. Its capital is Baton Rouge and largest city is New Orleans. Louisiana is the only state in the U.S. with political subdivisions termed parishes, which are local governments equivalent to counties...
, 20 Mar-12 Aug 1942 - RAF MemburyRAF MemburyRAF Station Membury is a former World War II airfield built in the civil parish of Lambourn in Berkshire, England. The airfield is located approximately mi north-northwest of Hungerford, at the Membury services stop of the M4 motorway; about miles west-southwest of London...
(AAF-466), England, 7 Sep 1942 - RAF Greenham CommonRAF Greenham CommonRAF Station Greenham Common is a former military airfield in Berkshire, England. The airfield is located approximately south-southwest of Thatcham; about west of London....
(AAF-486), England, 16 Dec 1943 - RAF AldermastonRAF AldermastonRAF Aldermaston was a World War II airfield. It was used by the Royal Air Force and the United States Army Eighth and Ninth Air Force as a troop carrier group base, and was assigned USAAF station No 467.-Origins:...
(AAF-467), England, 9 Jan 1944 - RAF ChilboltonRAF ChilboltonRAF Station Chilbolton is a former World War II airfield in Hampshire, England. The airfield is located approximately south-southeast of Andover; about southwest of London...
(AAF-404), England, 1 Mar 1944 - RAF Middle Wallop (AAF-449), England, 14 Mar 1944
- Le Molay AirfieldLe Molay AirfieldLe Molay Airfield is an abandoned World War II military airfield, which is located near the commune of Le Molay-Littry in the Basse-Normandie region of northern France....
(A-9), France, c. 5 Jul 1944 - Rennes Airfield (A-27), France, 11 Aug 1944
- Châteaudun Airfield (A-39), France, 24 Aug 1944
- Saint-Dizier Airfield (A-64), France, 12 Sep 1944
- Conflans Airfield (Y-94), France, 30 Nov 1944
- Trier Airfield (Y-57), Germany, 29 May 1945
- Ober Olm Airfield (Y-64), Germany, 2 Apr 1945
- Fürth AirfieldFürth AirfieldFürth Airfield is a former military airfield located in Germany about 2 miles north-northeast of Fürth ; approximately 200 miles south-southwest of Berlin.The airffield was used during World War II by the German Luftwaffe as a combat airfield...
(R-28), Germany, 28 Apr 1945-15 Feb 1946 - Bolling Field, District of Columbia, 15 Feb-31 Mar 1946
- March Field (later, AFB), CaliforniaCaliforniaCalifornia is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...
, 29 Jul 1946-28 Mar 1949 - Komaki AB, Japan, 25 Feb 1951
- Taegu AB (K-2), South KoreaSouth KoreaThe Republic of Korea , , is a sovereign state in East Asia, located on the southern portion of the Korean Peninsula. It is neighbored by the People's Republic of China to the west, Japan to the east, North Korea to the north, and the East China Sea and Republic of China to the south...
, 15 Mar 1951 - Kimpo AB (K-14), South KoreaSouth KoreaThe Republic of Korea , , is a sovereign state in East Asia, located on the southern portion of the Korean Peninsula. It is neighbored by the People's Republic of China to the west, Japan to the east, North Korea to the north, and the East China Sea and Republic of China to the south...
, 21 Aug 1951 - Itami AB, Japan, 8 Nov 1954
- Yokota AB, Japan, 14 Aug 1956-8 Mar 1960
- Mountain Home AFB, IdahoIdahoIdaho is a state in the Rocky Mountain area of the United States. The state's largest city and capital is Boise. Residents are called "Idahoans". Idaho was admitted to the Union on July 3, 1890, as the 43rd state....
, 1 Jul-2 Sep 1966 - Tan Son Nhut AB, South VietnamSouth VietnamSouth Vietnam was a state which governed southern Vietnam until 1975. It received international recognition in 1950 as the "State of Vietnam" and later as the "Republic of Vietnam" . Its capital was Saigon...
, 9 Sep 1966-31 Aug 1971 - Bergstrom AFB, TexasTexasTexas is the second largest U.S. state by both area and population, and the largest state by area in the contiguous United States.The name, based on the Caddo word "Tejas" meaning "friends" or "allies", was applied by the Spanish to the Caddo themselves and to the region of their settlement in...
, 31 Aug 1971-30 Sep 1992
- Esler Field, Louisiana
- Deployed at: Ramstein AB and Zweibrücken AB, West GermanyWest GermanyWest Germany is the common English, but not official, name for the Federal Republic of Germany or FRG in the period between its creation in May 1949 to German reunification on 3 October 1990....
, 5 May-4 Jun 1974 - Deployed at: Zweibrücken AB, West GermanyWest GermanyWest Germany is the common English, but not official, name for the Federal Republic of Germany or FRG in the period between its creation in May 1949 to German reunification on 3 October 1990....
, 7 Jul-7 Aug 1981, 15 May-11 Jun 1984, and 27 Aug-24 Sep 1987 - Flight deployed at: Sheik Isa Air BaseSheik Isa Air BaseIsa Air Base, formerly Shaikh Isa Air Base , is located on the 665 km² island nation of Bahrain which is situated off Saudi Arabia’s eastern coast...
, BahrainBahrain' , officially the Kingdom of Bahrain , is a small island state near the western shores of the Persian Gulf. It is ruled by the Al Khalifa royal family. The population in 2010 stood at 1,214,705, including 235,108 non-nationals. Formerly an emirate, Bahrain was declared a kingdom in 2002.Bahrain is...
, 14 Jan-10 May 1991- Beale AFB, CaliforniaCaliforniaCalifornia is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...
, 8 Nov 2001–Present
- Beale AFB, California
Aircraft
- Dorand ARDorand AR- References :* Munson, Kenneth - Bombers, Patrol and Reconnaissance Aircraft 1914 - 1919 ISBN 0-7537-0918-X-See also:...
-2, 1918 - Salmson 2Salmson 2|-References:* Davilla, James J., & Soltan, Arthur M., French Aircraft of the First World War. Stratford, Connecticut: Flying Machines Press, 1997. ISBN 0-9637110-4-0...
, 1918–1919 - Airco DH.4, 1919-c. 1926
- Douglas O-2Douglas O-2The Douglas O-2 is a 1920s American observation aircraft built by the Douglas Aircraft Company.-Development:The important family of Douglas observation aircraft sprang from two XO-2 prototypes, the first of which was powered by the 420 hp Liberty V-1650-1 V-engine and test-flown in the autumn...
, C. 1926-1930 - JN-6 Jenny JNS-1, Curtis O-11, during period 1919-1930
- Thomas-Morse O-19Thomas-Morse O-19|-See also:-References:* John Andrade, U.S.Military Aircraft Designations and Serials since 1909, Midland Counties Publications, 1979, ISBN 0-904597-22-9...
, 1930–1933, 1935 - Fokker O-27, 1933–1935
- Douglas O-43Douglas O-43-External links:***...
, 1935–1941 - North American O-47North American O-47|-See also:-References:NotesBibliography* Eden, Paul and Soph Moeng. The Complete Encyclopedia of World Aircraft. London: Amber Books Ltd., 2002. ISBN 0-7607-3432-1.* Fahey, James C. U.S. Army Aircraft 1908-1946. New York: Ships and Aircraft, 1946....
, 1938–1942 - Stinson YO-54, 1940–1942
- O-52 Owl and O-57 Grasshopper, 1941–1942
- O-59 Grasshopper, 1942
- Douglas O-31Douglas O-31-External links:**...
, O-46; Curtiss O-40 RavenCurtiss O-40 Raven-References:*Bowers, Peter M. Curtiss Aircraft 1907-1947. London:Putnam, 1979. ISBN 0-370-10029-8.*"". Flight, 4 January 1934, p. 20.-External links:*...
; Ryan YO-51 DragonflyRyan YO-51 Dragonfly|-See also:-References:NotesBibliography* , "Dave's Warbirds"-External links:* at San Diego Air & Space Museum Archives...
during period 1935-1941
- Douglas O-38Douglas O-38-References:*The complete Encyclopedia of World Aircraft Editors: Paul Eden & Soph Moeng, , 1152 pp.-External links:...
and 0-49 during period 1941-1942 - A-20 Havoc, 1942
- P-51/F-6C Mustang, 1942
- Spitfire PR Mk XI, 1942–1944
- L-4 Grasshopper, 1942–1943
- DB-7 and A-20 Havoc, 1943
- P-51/F-6D Mustang, 1943–1946
- FP-80A Shooting Star, 1946–1949
- RB-26B Invader, 1951–1956
- RB-66B Destroyer, 1956–1960
- RF-4C Phantom II, 1966–1992
- RQ-4 Global HawkRQ-4 Global HawkThe Northrop Grumman RQ-4 Global Hawk is an unmanned aerial vehicle used by the United States Air Force and Navy as a surveillance aircraft....
, 2001–Present
Unit awards
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